ASSESSMENT OF THORACIC AND LUMBAR SPINE RANGE OF MOTION: SYSTEMATIC REVIEW WITH META-ANALYSIS

ABSTRACT The spine presents distinct mobility and characteristics according to the anatomical region, and there are several instruments that allow it to be assessed. This systematic review aimed to identify methods and instruments used to assess the range of motion of the thoracic and lumbar spine in the sagittal plane, with confirmed validity and/or repeatability and/or reproducibility, evidencing their respective psychometric indexes. Searches were conducted on BIREME, EMBASE, PEDro, PubMed, Science Direct, SCOPUS and Web of Science databases, and there were manual searches as well. Two independent reviewers selected the studies, extracted data, evaluated methodological quality, risk of bias, and evidence (GRADE). A total of 46 studies were included in the qualitative analysis, seven of which only were included in the quantitative analysis. There is scientific evidence, confirmed by meta-analysis, on the inter-rater reproducibility of the measuring tape instrument in the modified Schöber’s test for lumbar flexion, and the intra-rater reproducibility of the Flexicurve and video analysis system instruments for lumbar extension and flexion. Besides, based on GRADE criteria, there is still little scientific evidence on the validity, repeatability and reproducibility of the instruments and methods indicated for assessing the range of motion of the thoracic and lumbar spine in the sagittal plane.